SANDY RESOURCES AND INFO:
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
For list of shelters, warming areas and food distribution centers in Suffolk
http://scoem.suffolkcountyny.gov/OEM/BEINFORMED/SuffolkUpdateNov62012.aspx
In Nassau http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OEM/hurricane/SandyRecovery.html
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
 Fair hearings: If a client needed to adjourn a hearing due to the storm, adjournments
were supposed to be granted and the status (aid to continue) would remain the same.
However, the request had to be made for the adjournment - hearings were not
adjourned automatically. Adjournments by phone - (1- 877-209-1134)
By fax: (518) 473-6735

Food Stamps: The USDA has granted a waiver authorizing all FNS retailers to sell hot
and cold prepared foods to SNAP recipients in affected counties which include Nassau and
Suffolk effective immediately through November 30th. Also, automatic mass replacement
benefits will be issued to Food Stamps recipients equally 50% of their October benefit level.
It will go directly on their EBT card.

FS Recipients can also apply for replacement of SNAP benefits from DSS if their loss
exceeds the 50% amount. The loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits must be reported
by Wednesday, November 28, 2012, either verbally or in writing. They must then return a
signed and completed form, found at www.otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/2291.pdf,
by close of business on Monday, December 10, 2012. The form is also available at local
social services offices. If a client submits an affidavit in addition to receiving the fifty
percent mass replacement, and requests an amount greater than the replacement benefit
amount received, the household is only entitled to receive the difference between the
requested amount and the amount previously replaced.
FEMA ASSISTANCE
Disaster assistance is financial or direct assistance to individuals and families whose property has
been damaged or destroyed as a result of Hurricane Sandy, and whose losses are not covered by
insurance. It is meant to help you with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways, but is
not intended to restore your damaged property to its condition before the disaster.
Renters and homeowners can borrow up to $40,000 for repairs and to replace things like
appliances, furniture, automobiles, and clothing. People who own homes can apply for as much as
$200,000 for repairs to their primary residences.
This program has two provisions of assistance for "Housing Needs" and "Other than Housing
Needs," which are available to individuals and families whose property has been damaged or
destroyed as a result of a federally-declared disaster, and whose losses are not covered by
insurance. Even if you have insurance, if insurance decision is delayed more than 30 days, or
is insufficient to cover damages, you may still be eligible
An eligible individual or household can receive up to a total of $31,900 in assistance for rental
payments for temporary housing, home repairs and replacement and/or the replacement of
personal property.
Examples Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This
includes:
Disaster-related medical and dental expenses.
Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses.
Clothing; household items (room furnishings, appliances); tools (specialized or protective
clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school
books, supplies).
Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).
Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).
Disaster-related damage to a vehicle.
Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid
additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).
Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.
Other expenses that are authorized by law

Individuals MUST REGISTER FOR FEMA. They can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY
1-800-462-7585 for the speech-and hearing-impaired.
If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
You can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone or tablet
atm.fema.gov. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days
a week until further notice.
More specifics on what’s covered by FEMA is available at http://www.fema.gov/newsrelease/federal-aid-programs-state-new-york-disaster-recovery-2
More Housing News:
Governor announced no deductible on Sandy homeowners claims
http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10312012Hurricane-Deductibles
NY Attorney General Price Gouging Complaint line: If you have noticed that the price of goods
and services have gone up since the hurricane passed New York, don’t stay silent! The NY Attorney
General has issued a warning regarding the inflation of price of goods and services, you can read the
complete warning here. If you have noticed this in your community please report this by calling the
toll-free complaint line at: 1-800-771-7755.
For Lawyers: TIME LIMITS EXTENDED TO FILE APPEALS
By order of the Governor, there is a Temporary Suspension and Modification of Statutory
Provisions Establishing Time Limitations on Actions and Time in Which to Take an Appeal.
More Info https://www.nassaubar.org/UserFiles/Suspension_of_Time_Limitations_10-26-12.pdf
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)
DUA is a Federal program that provides payments to people in federally declared disaster areas
who have lost work or income as a direct result of the disaster. There are two major
requirements for an individual to qualify for DUA: 1) the individual must be out of work as a
“direct result” of a major disaster; and 2) the individual does not qualify for regular
unemployment insurance (UI) from any state.
FILING A CLAIM
APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The Application deadline is December 3, 2012.
Call the Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-209-8124 (press 1 for English, then press 2 to file a new
claim). Answer the questions to indicate that you lost your job as a direct result of the effects of
Hurricane Sandy. Translation services are available. (See disaster manual for more details)
http://www.lawhelp.org/documents/519321LSNYC%20Disaster%20Relief%20Legal%20Assistan
ce%20Manual.pdf?stateabbrev=/NY/
You may also apply online at http://www.labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm
General Disaster Relief Information and resources
on LawHelp (updated regularly)
http://www.mynewyorklegalhelp.com/hurricanesandynyassistance/
Several Sandy legal assistance efforts have been initiated:

The Nassau County Bar is sponsoring Superstorm Sandy Clinics November 19 and 26
NCBA is hosting a series of free Superstorm Sandy Recovery Legal Consultation Clinics to help Nassau
residents. The first two are scheduled for Mondays, November 19 and November 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
and 3-7 p.m. at Domus. More than 40 attorneys have volunteered (more attorney volunteers are
welcome) to date, and more are needed in many areas, including insurance claims, FEMA assistance,
debt, bankruptcy, consumer protection, landlord/tenant, mortgage foreclosure,
health/disability/stress and ADR.

NYSBA Lawyer Referral and Information Service has created a
dedicated number (1-800-699-5636) for people in need of help, and is
currently recruiting attorneys to provide free telephone consultations to
individuals affected by the storm

Legal Assistance for Long Island residents: Touro Law Center – Hurricane Emergency
Assistance and Referral Team (TLC HEART) will open next week to provide referrals,
assistance and legal advice for local residents and small businesses affected by the storm.
The Center will provide help in assessing eligibility and completing application forms for
the wide range of emergency assistance available to storm victims, both individuals and
small businesses (e.g., food stamps, government loans and grants); free legal consultation
and advice on storm-related legal issues (e.g., insurance, landlord-tenant, consumer
complaints, unemployment); assistance to members of the Touro Law community who are
in need (631) 761-7198 and email tlcheart@tourolaw.edu. For more information click here.